A 32-man delegation from Kauai County in Hawaii came to the Davao City recently for a trade mission.

A Sister City pact is expected between Kauai and Davao is also expected soon.

The visitors, led by Kauai County Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., also included members of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. They were received by city officials led by City Administrator. Zuleika T. Lopez.

“We have heard many good things from Davao and found many similarities between the two cities particularly in culture, tourism and agriculture,” Carvalho said during their courtesy visit at City Hall, adding that his city was willing to forge sister cities pact with Davao.

Carvalho said these similarities were the main reason they visited the city.

“So we have (come) to talk about opportunities, about agriculture for young farmers and connecting and maybe inviting some young farmers to Kauai and we share (ideas). It is about sharing and connecting,” he added.

Kauai is the fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and its economy was mainly tourism-driven.

He expressed hope to seal the newly-formed cooperation with a Sister City Agreement and have Mayor Inday Sara Duterte visit Kauai County and sign the agreement there.

Carvalho also presented a Friendship Certificate to Mayor Duterte through Lopez, which recognized the city’s hospitality and openness to seek increased cooperation and understanding between the two governments.

Lopez, meanwhile, said that having non-Asean visitors opened Davao City to the rest of the world and that reaching out to them is a good investment for tourism and exposure for the city.

“They are taking a second look at Davao City already. So that’s good for us. Eventually there are lot of advantages for us as well, but more importantly, linkages will be formed (and) are being formed because there are lots of Filipinos in Hawaii and also there are lots of Dabawenyos in Hawaii,” she added. CIO